Cambodia Expedition: 2 Weeks

Explore the hidden wonders that Cambodia has to offer. Wander through the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, work side by side with the local community and enjoy traditional Cambodian entertainment at the Apsara dance show.

  • Location Cambodia, Asia
  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Expedition Type Impact

This 2 week trip is jam-packed full of cultural activities. Not only will you be getting stuck into vital project work to improve the lives of local communities, but you will also have the opportunity to experience traditional Cambodian culture in two of the country’s largest cities.

cambodia-map

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Expedition Leader
  • All meals in camp
  • Unlimited drinking water
  • Accommodation
  • Local Transfers (excluding to and from Australian airports)
  • Project costs and management
  • 24 hour support throughout expedition

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day Activities More details
Day 1 Arrival in Siem Reap After arriving at Siem Reap, you’ll be met by a member of our Camps crew who will transfer you to Camp Beng Mealea (approx. 1.5hrs). On the way you will stop and explore the Beng Mealea temple all before settling into your accommodation and getting a good nights sleep.
Day 2 – 4 Community projects Over the next few days, you will get your hands dirty working alongside local people on community projects. You could be getting stuck into anything from building chicken coops to improving infrastructure at the local school.
Day 5 Visit to Angkor Wat After a good breakfast, we’ll take you back to Siem Reap for a visit to the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat. Learn more about Cambodia’s ancient past as you explore these iconic temples. After dinner in the city, you will be treated to an evening watching an Apsara dance – a traditional Cambodian dance designed to mesmerise audiences.
Day 6 Explore Siem Reap Today you will have the chance to explore more of what Siem Reap has to offer. Visit the Angkor Artisan and silk farm where you will see incredible crafts being produced by local people. In the evening you will have dinner in the city before heading to the Phare Circus, an awesome performance that brings Cambodia’s rich history to life.
Day 7 Transfer to Camp Beng Pae Today you will take the 3 hour journey to Camp Beng Pae. This woodland retreat is set at the edge of a village giving you plenty of opportunity to get to know the locals. Once you arrive, you’ll be given a tour of the camp and briefed on the projects you’ll be getting involved with.
Day 8 – 11 Community project work Over the next few days, you will be getting stuck into some community project work. The local people in the village around the camp live below the poverty line and don’t have access to basic facilities. You will helping to improve living conditions by working on projects such as building wells and constructing toilets.
Day 12 Visit Phnom Penh Today you will say goodbye to Camp Beng Pae and head to Phnom Penh. Here you will get to explore the city and pick up any souvenirs from the Russian Market. You will also visit Wat Phnom – a beautiful Buddhist temple where many people go to pray for good luck.
Day 13 Explore Cambodia’s history Today, we will take you to visit the Royal Palace in the heart of Phnom Penh. You will then visit the S21 museum and Killing Fields, giving you an opportunity to learn about the Khmer Rouge regime, a significant part of Cambodia’s history.
Day 14 Departure After checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight home.

How you’ll make a difference

You’ll work on a range of projects throughout your expedition, each aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and designed to make a significant and lasting impact on the region’s most critical issues.

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Cambodia – Sanitation, education, food and water security

The remote and rural community of Ta Lek does not have any mains water supply and the small reservoir that they do have is not big enough to last through the long dry season that they experience in this part of Cambodia. Without a water source, sanitation has been poor and the risk of disease high. What they do have is reliable source of ground water that is reasonably close to the surface. As part of our project work here that you may get involved in we are building wells to provide drinking water and water for irrigation to ensure a reliable source of essential food. You may also build toilets and it is our aim to provide a toilet for every household in the community.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
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No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

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Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

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Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

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Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

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Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

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Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

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Reduce inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

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Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

School improvements

Cambodia – School improvements and jungle garden reforestation

It’s estimated that around 15% of Cambodia’s population never enters the education system and those that do often learn in inadequate schools. You’ll help support a local primary school, through projects such as refurbishing and extending classrooms and constructing a library. You’ll also work on the Jungle Garden at our camp to tackle issues of food production in the dry season.

UN Sustainable Development Goals
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No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

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Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-04

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-05

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-06

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

e_inverted-sdg-goals_icons-individual-rgb-10

Reduce inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

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Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are the heart of our expeditions. Built and staffed by locals in the traditional style, and located within the heart of communities, they are the perfect place to relax after a day of project work. You’ll get to stay in a number of camps during your expedition, which could include those featured below.

Camp Beng Pae

Camp Beng Pae

Beng Pae is located in the village of Ta Lek and within the Beng Pae Wildlife Reserve. Surrounded by impressive pine trees, the camp is designed and built in the local hill tribe house style.
The camp is set at the edge of the village and so all your project sites are only a short walk away, allowing you to become a local in no time!

  • Location: 220 km (3 hours drive) from Siem Reap International Airport
  • Accommodation style: Traditional longhouses
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding including mosquito net.
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets,
  • Showers: Showers & wash basins
  • Power: Mains electricity. 2 flat pin style power sockets
  • Social area: Chill out zone, camp fire, hammocks
  • Signature dish: Beef Loklak, Stir fried, grilled aubergine.
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Camp Beng Mealea

This delightful rural camp is set on the outskirts of Teuk Lich village within Beng Mealea commune.

Accommodation is in the form of traditional Khmer stilted longhouses positioned in the shade of large banana and papaya trees. The camp is surrounded by paddy fields and pretty amazing views on all sides. On a clear day you can see the impressive ridge line of the Kulen National Park from your longhouse. And if that isn’t enough, there is the ancient ruined temple of Beng Mealea to explore only a short walk away, as well as a large ornate pagoda where the Buddhist monks live. You’d be hard pushed to find a more authentic Cambodian experience!

  • Location: 75 km (1.5 hours drive) from Siem Reap International Airport
  • Accommodation style: Traditional longhouses
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding including mosquito net
  • Toilets: Composting toilets
  • Showers: Cold water showers & wash basins
  • Power: Mains electricity. 2 flat pin style power sockets.
  • Social area: Chill out zone, camp fire, hammocks
  • Signature dish: Khmer curry – Mild coconut curry usually served as a meat or vegetable curry.

Best 2 weeks I’ve experienced! Planning to go back and help Camp Beng Mealea again! The people are so friendly and in just 2 weeks I truly made a second family. Cambodia will be my second home as I’m now in love with the country!

Jordyn, Camp Cambodia 2017

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Han

Camps International provides many jobs for local people like me, enabling us to work together with volunteers on projects which help our communities. Having travellers spend time in camps and surrounding villages helps encourage parents in the community to recognise the importance of education for their own children, paving the way for a bright future for the people of Cambodia.

Interested in this expedition?

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